Children gain strength in specific muscle groups to participate in play activities and to express themselves so that they are understood. With pediatric therapy, children gain skills to coordinate their movements and sensory input so that they are able to play, speak and eat the way they want to.
The Pediatric Therapist will recommend special equipment including bracing, communication aids and toys to promote improved function and development. These therapists are familiar with the needs and developmental expectations of all ages, diagnoses and abilities.
Parents Helping Kids – The First Steps
Children’s development is the foundation of what they become as adults, which is why it is so important that a child achieves set milestones. Children develop at different rates, making it difficult for a parent to know if their child is “normal”. Our scheduling makes sure your child is placed with a therapist who will work best with their specific needs.
Perhaps a child who should be walking is not walking yet; therefore a physical therapy evaluation will be conducted. If the parent is not quite sure, the scheduler will continue with questions and recommend the appropriate evaluation. Some parents of school-aged children seek out therapies because their child has injured themselves and need for rehabilitation to restore their strength, movements and activities to their pre-injury level.
Importance of Developmental Milestones
For the most part children walk by the age of 12 months. If a child misses a milestone, the parent or caregiver may just think they will outgrow the problem. Parents sometimes do not address developmental deficits until they are seen comparatively between classmates. This comparison usually starts at the age of 3 if the child is placed into preschool. The problem with waiting to get help is if your child does not “catch up” they are now behind their peers. This child will have to be pulled out of their regular class in order to learn proper strategies to be successful in their school setting. Areas of sensory, behavior, and fine motor coordination are often times not addressed or identified as problems until children become school aged. At this time children have to write more, manipulate coats and backpacks, and interact with other children. This is when it often becomes apparent that the child needs training in order to master these barriers.
Outpatient and In-School Therapy
In outpatient therapy, goals are set with a child’s entire life and family situation in mind. At school, goals are related to a child’s success in the school environment. The outpatient clinical model uses the parent, individual home, and community expectations as guidelines for the appropriate level of services to meet the child’s needs. Children often receive treatment in both school and outpatient clinical settings concurrently with improved results over receiving therapy in just one setting.
For example, a child uses handwriting and scissors for cutting in school. These skills are then the responsibility of the school. Outpatient occupational therapy will work on such skills as strengthening hands and shoulder girdles; this will improve the child’s overall ability to control their body allowing them to achieve the higher level skill.
Stair negotiation is often essential within a school setting. Outpatient physical therapy might focus on skills such as jumping, skipping and hopping which may impact the child’s ability to then climb stairs in any setting. These skills not only help a child become more successful in school, but they also help the child increase strength, fitness level and ability to keep up with their friends in play.
What to expect at a Pediatric Therapy Session
On the first day of therapy the child will arrive, check in, and be greeted by their therapist in the waiting area. Many questions are asked and testing is completed, but the child never knows about the testing because they were just playing! The therapist will make a recommendation at that time for therapy or perhaps just some suggestions and a re-check in a couple months.
Talk to other parents and learn from their experiences. Contact Friendship Heights Rehab to plan your next step in maximizing your child’s abilities and function. The ultimate goal is making your child succeed. By being diligent and informed, we can make this happen!
If you or someone you love could benefit from our Pediatric therapy program, please contact us right away. We are here to assist you and your family.
Therese Rodda, P.T.
Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301 656-6922
trodda@fhrehab.com
10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 280
Silver Spring, MD 20901
301 576-6474
Links:
http://fhrehab.com/index.html - Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center - Maryland Physical Therapy - Metro DC area
http://fhrehab.com/ptServices.html - Physical Therapy Programs
http://fhrehab.com/wellnessServices.html - Wellness Services
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